The Electorate of Saxony (German: Kurfürstentum Sachsen) was a state of the Holy Roman Empire. It originated from the Ascanian duchy of Saxe-Wittenberg, but was granted electoral dignity through the Golden Bull of 1356. Following the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, the electorate became a kingdom and remained so until the defeat of the German Empire in 1918.

The Saxon coat of arms displays a nine fold partitioned field of black and gold stripes, charged with a green common rue running diagonally across the field. The design may be derived from that used by the Saxon counts of Ballenstedt and dates back to at least the eleventh century, making it one of the oldest coats or arms still in use.